Corn, Pepper and Tomato Soup with Pork Bits

It was a very warm day today, but that was not enough to dissuade me from firing up the range and making a pot of soup. I've been thinking about corn and saw crates of it in the markets lately. This afternoon, I decided to make a pot of soup from fresh sweet corn, jalapeno peppers, chili pepper, tomatoes, ground pork and pork stew pieces. This is a relatively easy recipe and once you are done with the sauteing part, you can and must leave the pot alone.

Ingredients:
9-10 cobs of fresh white corn (substitute with 4-5 cups of frozen corn if fresh corn is not available)
1 large white onion, minced
2 tablespoons minced garlic (about 4-6 large cloves)
1/4 cup olive oil
1 lb ground pork
2 large ripe tomatoes, seeded, cored and chopped
2 pcs. jalapeno or green peppers, seeded and chopped
5 pcs. red chilies (fresh or dried, and optional)
1/2 cup cilantro (fresh coriander) stems removed
1lb pork, stew cut (with bone and even distribution of lean meat and fat)
sea salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
2.5 liters water (approx. 2 1/2 pints)

Shave the corn ears from the cob with a knife. Set aside. In a deep, thick pot, heat the olive oil. Add the garlic, onions, green peppers / jalapenos and tomatoes. Saute in low medium heat. Allow to sweat for 5-8 minutes. Do not brown. Add the ground pork and pork pieces. Stir until pork pieces are slightly cooked. Add the red chili peppers. Allow the juices to reduce, about 5 minutes. Turn up heat to high and add the corn; saute for 3-5 minutes. Add the water.

Cover pot and simmer over low medium heat for 60-90 minutes, stirring occasionally. Check the pork pieces and continue simmering until the pork pieces are well done and tender. Season with sea salt. Be cautious with the salt, and taste and smell to ensure that the sweet corn flavor is the dominant note, sustained by the aromatic scent of pepper, onions and garlic.

When the pork is well done and tender, remove the pot from heat and stir in the fresh cilantro(coriander) leaves. Sprinkle freshly ground black pepper and serve immediately.


N.B. for the curious, the plate pattern is Lauren Hastings Chocolate by Ralph Lauren.